Staff

General inquiries? Contact us at info@helpamotherout.org

Program inquiries? Contact us at program@helpamotherout.org

Lisa Truong, Founder & Executive Director

Lisa is a social entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector. She has been working across sectors to build public and private partnerships to address diaper need since 2009. Under Lisa’s leadership, Help a Mother Out (“HAMO”) has grown from a grassroots, volunteer-run kitchen table idea to a nationally-recognized, policy-influencing organization with an annual operating budget of $3 million. During her tenure, HAMO established (2015) and operates the nation’s first publicly funded diaper program, the San Francisco Diaper Bank, in partnership with the City and County of San Francisco. Prior to her work with HAMO, she held roles at Tides Foundation, among other nonprofits. Lisa is a 1.5 generation immigrant and grew up in the Bay Area. A first-generation college graduate, she received her B.A. from the University of California, at Berkeley. She currently lives in Oakland with her two boys. In her spare time, you'll likely find her taking a dance class or hiking in the redwoods.

Emily Knight, Director of Development, emily@helpamotherout.org

Emily came to Help a Mother Out from Los Angeles where she worked as the Development Manager for the “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles. She brings with her over fifteen years of development and operations experience, having previously worked for a local hospice, an international aid charity, the pioneer of venture philanthropy in the UK, and a wraparound youth services provider. Emily received her MS in International Childhood Studies from Birkbeck College – University of London, and her BS in Anthropology from Santa Clara University. She currently lives with her husband and her dog, and in her free time, you will find her reading, cooking, walking, and eating all delicious foods. Emily is passionate about ensuring that all people and all communities have access to the resources that they need to live and thrive, and she is excited to assist Help a Mother Out with leveling up so that they can continue to do good.

Aydan Lengerli , Program Manager, program@helpamotherout.org

Aydan brings over 8 years of experience spanning finance, product and program management, and business operations. She holds an MBA from the University of California, San Diego, and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, which equip her with a 360-degree perspective for solving complex operational challenges. Drawing from her industrial engineering background, she enjoys optimizing systems and processes to achieve maximum efficiency and impact. Passionate about addressing real-world challenges affecting millions of people, Aydan is dedicated to creating impactful solutions that drive meaningful change. A self-proclaimed city person, she spends her free time exploring the streets of San Francisco on long walks and capturing the beauty of the urban landscape through photography. Aydan is excited to bring her diverse expertise and commitment to problem-solving to Help a Mother Out, furthering its mission to create a lasting difference in the lives of families and communities.

Lisa's photo: courtesy of In Her Image Photography, Emily’s photo: courtesy of Morgan Shidler Photography